Apples (Malus domestica).

We have VERY limited quantities of grafted apples this year. We will be increasing the amount we can offer in the coming seasons.

Apples are a classic fruit that no food forest or orchard is complete without. Generally very cold hardy and long lived. Like most trees, apples prefer well drained, fertile soil but can tolerate other soils, depending on what rootstock is used. All our apples are grafted onto M111, which is an excellent all purpose, semi standard rootstock that tolerates a wide range of soils. You can expect trees grafted on M111 to grow to 15-25’ tall if left unpruned, but a smaller size can be achieved through pruning. Below is a brief description of the cultivars we have available this fall. For a more detailed look at each apple we suggest checking out www.pomiferous.com. They have a massive amount of information on just about any apple you can think of. Also, when we reference an apple being good for cider we are referring to hard cider, unless otherwise specified. Most apples will press into fine sweet (non alcoholic) cider. 

Pollination: Apples generally need another variety for pollination. Apples are put into pollination groups A, B, C or D based on their bloom time, A being the earliest group to bloom and D being the latest. For best pollination select varieties that are in the same or at least adjacent pollination groups. 

Black Oxford:

An old variety from Maine. Very dark purple, almost black skin. A very versatile apple good for fresh eating, cider and baking. Late season ripening. Stores very well. Pollination group D.  Hardy to zone 4. At least 24" tall.

Keepsake: 

A cultivar released in the 70s that is fairly disease resistant and an excellent storage apple. An easy to grow apple that is a good choice for organic or low spray growers. The green/red fruit is a fantastic multiuse apple and ripens late mid season. Pollination group D. Hardy to zone 3. At least 24" tall.

Liberty: 

 A cultivar developed in NY in the 60s. Very disease resistant and vigorous grower. Of all the apples we are growing, Liberty has been the most successful so far. It grows fast and strong and has had no issues to speak of. The red and yellow/green fruit is a true multiuse apple excelling as a fresh eating, cooking and cider apple. Ripens mid season. Pollination group B. Hardy to zone 4. At least 20" tall.

Minnesota Russet (MN 1734): 

An older variety from the Minnesota Agricultural Research Station. The small to medium russeted fruit is hard with a rich flavor. Ripens mid season. A very good cider apple. Tends to produce annual and is a decent storage apple as well. At least 24” tall. Hardy to zone 4.

Williams' Pride: 

A cultivar released in the 80s that was bred for disease resistance. A very reliable, early ripening apple. An easy to grow apple that is great for organic or low spray growers. The red/purple fruit  is multiuse. Pollination group B. Hardy to zone 4. At least 24" tall.

Image of fruit by Lichtsammler via Pixabay